DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: Sept. 11, 2024

Union Bank of India Becomes the First Major Bank to Sign On with PCAF

Tags: Economics/Business

Union Bank of India has joined the Partnership for Carbon Accounting Financials (PCAF), aligning with global trends in climate risk management.

An Overview of the News

• PCAF is a global coalition of financial institutions focused on creating and implementing standardized methods to assess and disclose greenhouse gas emissions from loans and investments.

Significance of Financed Emissions:

• Financed emissions, also known as Scope 3 emissions, are the indirect emissions arising from a bank's lending and investment activities. 

• These emissions often exceed the bank's direct operational emissions and present significant risks due to climate change and evolving regulations.

RBI Draft Guidelines:

• The Reserve Bank of India's draft guidelines on 'Disclosure Framework on Climate-Related Financial Risks, 2024', issued on February 28, 2024, highlight the importance of tracking financed emissions.

• The framework requires regulated entities to disclose information in four key areas: governance, strategy, risk management, and metrics and targets.

• The guidelines represent a move towards stricter climate risk reporting standards for Indian banks.

Shubhi Gupta Wins U-16 Gold and U-20 Bronze at Commonwealth Chess Championships

Tags: Sports

Shubhi Gupta won the gold medal in the girls U-16 category and the bronze medal in the girls U-20 category at the Commonwealth Chess Championships in Kalutara, Sri Lanka.

An Overview of the News

• Gupta, a Women FIDE (Fédération Internationale des Échecs) Master and reigning U-19 girls' national champion, excelled in the U-16 category with a score of eight points out of nine.

• She secured seven wins and two draws, outperforming her competitors.

Final Standings in U-16 Category:

• 1st Place: Shubhi Gupta (8 points)

• 2nd Place: Mrittika Mallick (7 points)

• 3rd Place: Yashvi Jain (6.5 points)

About FIDE

• Founded: 20 July 1924, Paris, France

• Headquarters: Lausanne, Switzerland

• President: Arkady Dvorkovich

International Chess Day (July 20):World Chess Day (also known as International Chess Day) is celebrated globally on July 20 each year.

Rajesh Verma Appointed Chairperson of Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR

Tags: Person in news

Rajesh Verma, a 1987-batch IAS officer from the Odisha Cadre, took charge as Chairperson of the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) in NCR and adjoining areas on September 9, 2024.

An Overview of the News

• Rajesh Verma's appointment is for three years from the date of assuming office or until further orders, whichever is earlier.

• He has over 35 years of experience in public administration and governance.

Professional Experience and Key Roles

• Verma has served in various departments of both the Central and State Governments, including the President’s Secretariat, Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare, and Ministry of Power.

• He has also worked with the Rural Electrification Corporation Ltd. (REC), Departments of Education, Steel & Mines, Agriculture, Energy under the Government of Odisha, and Industrial Development Corporations in Odisha and Rajasthan.

• His roles have made him a key stakeholder in addressing air pollution in various capacities.

Successor to Dr. M.M. Kutty

• Rajesh Verma succeeded Dr. M.M. Kutty, who completed his tenure as the full-time Chairperson of CAQM after serving for three years.

• Prior to his current role, Verma served as Secretary to the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, until his retirement on August 31, 2024.

Sonbhadra Police Line Becomes First in Purvanchal to Receive ISO-9001:2015 Certification

Tags: State News

Sonbhadra Police Line becomes the first in Purvanchal (eastern Uttar Pradesh) to achieve ISO-9001:2015 certification.

An Overview of the News

• The certification recognizes excellence in management, training, services, and facilities.

• Awarded by the International Organisation for Standardization (ISO).

Significance of ISO-9001:2015 Certification

• The certification underscores the implementation of international standards.

• Focuses on enhancing police efficiency, human resource management, and workplace conditions.

• Marks a step toward delivering better services to police personnel and officers.

Precedent Set by Gautam Buddha Nagar

• The Gautam Buddha Nagar (Noida) Commissionerate was the first in Uttar Pradesh to achieve ISO-9001:2015 certification.

• The success of this model laid the groundwork for other police lines to follow suit.

About Uttar Pradesh

• Founded: 24 January 1950

• Capital: Lucknow (Executive Branch)

• Rajya Sabha: 31 Seats

• Lok Sabha: 80 Seats

• Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath

• Governor: Anandiben Patel

Additional Information:-Uttar Pradesh Unveils World's First Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre. 

Paralympians Sheetal Devi & Rakesh Kumar Named ECI National Icons

Tags: Sports

Paralympics archery champions Sheetal Devi and Rakesh Kumar were recognized as ECI’s national icons for Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) during an event at Nirvachan Sadan, New Delhi

An Overview of the News

• CEC Rajiv Kumar, along with ECs Gyanesh Kumar and Dr. Sukhbir Singh Sandhu, felicitated both archers for their bronze medal success in the Paris Summer Paralympics 2024.

Achievements of Sheetal Devi

• Medal Success: Sheetal Devi won a bronze medal in archery at the 2024 Paralympics in Paris.

• Youngest Paralympic Medallist: At 17 years old, Sheetal Devi became India’s youngest Paralympic medallist.

• Born with Phocomelia, a rare congenital disorder without arms on January 10, 2007, in Kishtwar, Jammu & Kashmir.

• The world’s first and only active female archer to compete without arms.

• Currently ranked first in the world in the compound open women’s category.

• Discovered by the Indian Army in 2019 and mentored by coach Kuldeep Vedwan.

• Achievements include gold medals at the 2023 Asian Para Games and silver at the 2023 World Archery Para Championship.

• Received the Arjuna Award 2023 from President Droupadi Murmu.

Achievements of Rakesh Kumar

• Medal Success: Rakesh Kumar, who teamed up with Sheetal for a bronze medal at the 2024 Paris Paralympics, was announced as ECI National Icon for PwDs.

• International Representation: Kumar has represented India at the Tokyo and Paris Paralympics.

• Other Achievements: He won a gold medal in the mixed team event at the 2023 World Archery Para Championship and in the Asian Para Games 2022-23, as well as silver medals in the individual and men’s team categories at the same Asian Para Games.